1. What is File Splitter?
File Splitter is the program that can split any file into several
fragments and then restore (merge) the source file. For example,
you can use it to store a big file on several 1.44 MB disks.
The program can also calculate check sums of the fragments, save
them in a special file (*.fsc) and then use such file to check
whether the source file was restored correctly or not. File Splitter
doesn't need any special installation, requires about 230 KB of your
hard disk space and doesn't write anything to your system registry.
2. License agreement
This software - File Splitter - is provided "AS IS" without warranty
of any kind. You do not need to pay for using this software, but
you must remember that
Author (Max V. Zinal) is not responsible for any
damage of your data or your system, even if this damage is
the result of the incorrect work of the File Splitter.
(I can only say that such a simple program can't have such
extremly dangerous errors. It had been tested for a long time,
and I did not find any serious bugs.)
For any commercial use of the File Splitter you need the written
consent by the author.
3. How to use File Splitter?
3.1 General description
File Splitter in the work uses two main parameters which must be set by the
user:
- a name of a file to Split/Merge;
- name and path to the file fragments folder.
Besides it, while splitting it is also necessary to establish the size of
fragments (in case of cutting a file to equal fragments), or to establish the
"Floppy" mode, with which sizes of fragments are defined by free space on the
drive containing a folder of file fragments (for example, if you want to keep a
large file on several diskettes). If you want to use calculation of the control
sums or to remove initial files, set the appropriate tags. The fragments
are located in the specified folder, their names coincide with a name of an
initial file with addition of number extension. Similarly, with mergering File
Splitter searches for files with the appropriate names in a folder of file
fragments. (see note to item 3.3 - Messages during the work). The file with
.FSC extension will be generated if you select to calculate the checksums.
3.2 How to Split/Merge a file
a) Enter a name of a file into the field "Name of the file to split/merge",
or press the "Browse" button and choose a file from the list.
b) Enter a name of a folder of file fragments, including a complete path,
or press the "Browse" button and choose the necessary element of the directory
tree.
c) In case of splitting establish the size of fragments (by choosing it
from the dropping out list or by entering manually). Establish modes of
removal of initial files and calculation of checksums if necessary.
If you need to split a file on fragments written down on several floppy disks, or
to merge a file, which fragments are stored on several flops, choose the
"Floppy" mode from the list.
d) Press the "Split" button to split a file, and "Merge" to restore.
3.3 Messages during the work
With work of the program there can be error messages of input/output.
In most cases File Splitter will give you the opportunity to repeat the
operation which has caused a mistake. If after the end of mergering you will
be informed about discrepancy of the control sums for some fragments, it means
that was damaged either this fragment, or the file of the control sums. Attempt to
apply a mode of calculating checksums during operation of mergering with no
file of the control sums in the file fragments folder will cause the
appropriate message.
An error "No space left on drive" (Disk full) can appear during
splitting of a file into fragments of the fixed size, but not with use of a
"Floppy" mode.
The message "Can't find the first fragment" means that the folder
specified as a folder of file fragments does not contain a file with a name
perceived File Splitter as a name of the first fragment.
Note.
In split and merge modes the names of fragments
are generated equally.
Let's look as it occurs on an example.
Let in the field "File to split/merge" is the name
C:\MyData\BigFile.zip ,
and in the field "Folder of file fragments" - path
C:\MyData\Fragm. Then the
names of fragments will be something like
C:\MyData\BFFragm\BigFile.zip.NNN,
where NNN - number extension. Accordingly, the name of the first fragment -
C:\MyData\Fragm\BigFile.zip.01
(as number of symbols of extension can vary,
such variants are possible: *.1, *.01, *.001 and so on)
If the names of the file fragments differ from standard (for example,
the long names were lost after copying fragments with NC for DOS or its analogue),
it is possible to specify a "Floppy" mode that allows you to specify a name of
each fragment manually (Naturally, you should keep up that the fragments should
go in the correct order).
3.4 Command line parameters.
File Splitter can be started from a command line with the following parameters:
FSPLIT [source] [target] [size] [key]
[source] - file for split/merge. The name should contain a complete path;
[target] - complete path to a folder of file fragments;
[size] - size of a fragment in kilobytes, or a special parameter FLOPPY;
[key] - one or several managing keys.
The managing keys are:
/SPLIT (to split an initial file),
/MERGE (to restore a file),
/TEST (checksums),
/MOVE (to remove initial files),
/QUIT (to finish File Splitter upon termination of operation).
It is necessary to remember:
a) that with use of managing keys first three parameters must be
present;
b) that the managing keys should be separated one from another and
from other parameters by spaces;
c) that it is necessary to set long names of files containing
blanks in inverted commas;
d) that the parameter FLOPPY must be used if you want to split a
file into fragments for floppy disks or merge a file from flopps;
e) that the keys /SPLIT and /MERGE can't be set
at the same time.
3.5 Possible problems
With work with File Splitter it is necessary to remember, that
a) With division of a file on diskettes the new folder for file
fragments does not form, i.e. if you enter as a folder of file fragments
something like A:\AnyPath and there
is no folder AnyPath on disk A:,
you will receive the message on a mistake.
b) File Splitter is arranged in such a manner that that part of
the read buffer, which was not kept on a current disk because of shortage of
space should be kept on the next disk. The size of the buffer - 64
kilobytes, therefore in the most worse case on the next disk should have 64 KB of
free space. If places on a disk is unsufficient, the appropriate message will
appear.
4. Where it is possible to receive File Splitter
You can download the last version of the given product from my
home page on XOOM.COM .
Please send the remarks, offer, messages on the noticed bugs by e-mail:
max_vz@xoommail.com. My
electronic address has changed; the mail sent to the former
address can be lost.
5. Changes in the program from version to version.
The basic difference between versions 1.10 and 1.00 is the increased speed of
calculation of the control sums. It is necessary to note, that the new
algorithm works much faster only for fragments of certain sizes (specified
in the dropping out list). In other cases the
speed will also increase, but it will not be so high as for recomended
fragments sizes.
In version 1.20 I added the support of parameters of a command line, eliminated
an interface bug with the progress bar and corrected some other small mistakes.
Some internal changes were brought in to facilitate transition to following
version 2.00.
In the given version (2.00) I added an opportunity to split/merge files
directly to and from floppy disks and to enter manually the names of the file
fragments. A number of less significant changes and corrections were brought in.
6. Special thanks
To those who tested File Splitter:
Igor V. Polyakoff
polyakoff@geocities.com
Paul V. Milov
paul_vm@geocities.com
I must also thank all those people who have sent me the letters
with wishes and offers, and also with the messages on the mistakes
found in the program.